Now that a recount has confirmed Richard L. Woods’ victory over Mike Buck in the Republican runoff in the race for Georgia school superintendent, we know he’ll face Democrat Valarie Woods in November. It’s likely to be a spirited campaign featuring two candidates with very different views. Here, in boxing match style, is the Tale of the Tape:
In the blue corner, from Swainsboro and now living in Decatur: Democrat Valarie Wilson
In the red corner, from Irwin County: Republican Richard L. Woods
Age: Wilson, 55; Woods, 51
Family: Wilson, married (Carter), one son; Woods, married (Lisha)
Current job: Wilson, executive director of the Atlanta Beltline Partnership; Woods, small business owner
Experience in education: Wilson, former chairwoman of the City Schools of Decatur school board, former president of the Georgia School Boards Association; Woods, former teacher, assistant principal, principal, curriculum director in Irwin County School System
On the national academic standards known as Common Core: Wilson supports having Georgia continue to follow them, arguing that going to a new set of standards would be distracting to teachers, who have endured much change over the past several years. "We cannot let the questions some have about Common Core standard divert our attention and resources from the task at hand, which is making sure our students have the opportunities to succeed at whatever they choose to do. Changing standards is not a quick or cheap process, so we need to be sure change is in the best interest of our students when we do so."
Woods said he has “expressed deep concerns over Georgia adopting the Common Core standards without proper input and vetting from Georgians as well as the long-term costs of accepting Race to the Top federal funding.”
On Georgia's acceptance of a $400 million Race to the Top grant from the U.S. Department of Education: Wilson supports the grant program, which has helped pay for a new teacher and principal evaluation system and new student data system and directed funds to troubled schools. "Pursuit of Race to the Top was the decision of the governor — not the state superintendent — but I would support seeking funding for opportunities for our students from federal and other sources," she said. "Any grant must be evaluated with a cost/benefit analysis."
Woods opposes Georgia’s participation in the grant program, arguing that the federal money came with too many strings. “I oppose accepting one-time federal grant money that puts our state and our local school systems on the hook for covering long-term costs,” he said. “Since No Child Left Behind and continued with Race to the Top, we have witnessed a carrot and stick approach to education policy where the federal government has used money to entice the states to adopt failed policies and take on unfunded mandates. Any federal money that Georgia receives should come with maximum flexibility and with Georgians driving policy decisions.”
Top priority if elected: For Wilson, it's more money from the state to school districts. She said her most important task would be to "restore the $7 billion that has been lost to public education over the past 10 years and bringing the budget current with today's cost of doing business. I would do this by first advocating for the abolishment of austerity cuts, affording school systems to immediately realize funds that could alleviate teacher furloughs, maximized class sizes, and shortened school calendars."
For Woods, it's to personalize education for students, cut the clutter and keep federal involvement to an absolute minimum. "Education needs to be personalized, not standardized," he said. "Our focus will be on teaching to the child, not the test. Unnecessary data collection, meaningless paperwork and repetitive documentation must be removed. Georgia must be in control of its educational system. This will provide parents, educators and community members the voice that is rightfully theirs."
About the Author
Keep Reading
The Latest
Featured
